DAILY GUIDE

April 2020

Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. (1 Chronicles 16:11)

O Lord, we want to enter your presence, awed by your majesty, greatness, and glory, yet encouraged by your love. Yet there is a coldness in our hearts, a hardness toward you, an unwillingness to admit our sin and need for you. Forgive us, for Jesus’ sake. Come near and strengthen us until Christ reigns supreme within us, in every thought, word, and deed. Give us a faith that purifies the heart, overcomes the world, works by love, fastens us to you, and always clings to the cross. In Jesus’ name, Amen. (Source)

Take a moment to confess your sins, knowing that he hears you.

Romans Summary

Paul wrote Romans to unite the Jewish and Gentile Christians in Rome in the gospel. He also wanted the church in Rome to become the base of operations from which he could proclaim the gospel in Spain (Romans 15:22–24). The ultimate goal of preaching the gospel is the glory of God (Romans 11:33–36). Paul longs for the Gentiles to become obedient Christians for the sake of Christ’s name (Romans 1:5). (Source and more)

Scripture Reading

  • Apr 1 – Psalm 66; John 17
  • Apr 2 – Psalm 67; John 18
  • Apr 3 – Psalm 68; John 19
  • Apr 6 – Psalm 69; Mark 11:1-19
  • Apr 7 – Psalm 70; Mark 11:20-12:44
  • Apr 8 – Psalm 71; Mark 13:1-14:11
  • Apr 9 – Psalm 72; Mark 14:12-42
  • Apr 10 – Psalm 73; Mark 14:43-15:47
  • Apr 13 – Psalm 74; Romans 1
  • Apr 14 – Psalm 75; Romans 2
  • Apr 15 – Psalm 76; Romans 3
  • Apr 16 – Psalm 77; Romans 4
  • Apr 17 – Psalm 78:1-31; Romans 5
  • Apr 20 – Psalm 78:32-72; Romans 6
  • Apr 21 – Psalm 79; Romans 7
  • Apr 22 – Psalm 80; Romans 8
  • Apr 23 – Psalm 81; Romans 9
  • Apr 24 – Psalm 82; Romans 10
  • Apr 27 – Psalm 83; Romans 11
  • Apr 28 – Psalm 84; Romans 12
  • Apr 29 – Psalm 85; Romans 13
  • Apr 30 – Psalm 86; Romans 14

Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen.

Prayer: COVID19

  1. Pray for the Lord to intervene to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Pray in Jesus’ name that the virus would recede from this day forward, and that the numbers of those infected would decline rapidly. Pray, trusting the Lord to intervene today with his loving care.

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. – 1 John 5:14

  1. Pray for those who are sick, that they will have access to the care and treatment they need. Pray for peace and perseverance amidst suffering. Pray for those in isolation who are cut off from their normal routines and support systems, that they would seek their strength in Jesus. Pray encouragement for the thousands in quarantine, waiting to find out if they have the virus.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1

  1. Pray for health workers who are caring for those with COVID-19. Pray for their protection from the virus, for stamina during long and intense work hours, and for safe protocols to be observed in healthcare institutions in order to keep them protected. Pray for health workers to seek the Lord during this crisis.

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. – Psalm 107:28

  1. Pray for grieving families who have lost loved ones to the coronavirus. Even as their hearts are breaking, pray they would know the nearness and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Pray that they would feel compassion from the Lord and from friends and neighbours coming around them. Pray against despair; pray for new mercies every morning.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7

  1. Pray for pastors serving their churches and communities affected and infected by COVID-19. We pray that the Holy Spirit would give these shepherd-leaders the right words for the right time and the right actions for each situation. Pray they would speak the gospel in heart, word and deed to each person they minister to.

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ... The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. – James 5:14, 16

  1. Pray for the body of Christ worldwide, that the church would rise up to pray and to support the sick and their caregivers in practical and sacrifi- cial ways. Pray for the church to be a light on a hill in hospitals, commu- nities and cities where God has placed them. Pray for an outpouring of love, compassion and service, in Jesus’ name.

But God has composed the body and has given greater honour to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it. – I Corinthians 12:24-27

  1. Pray for government officials and decision-makers who are leading countries and organisations through the crisis. We acknowledge that the Lord has allowed each one to be in a place of influence during this time. Pray they would mobilise resources quickly and effectively to where they are most needed. Pray for all those working behind the scenes and for the good administration and execution of response efforts worldwide.

Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. – Jeremiah 29:7

  1. Pray for those waking up each day to fallout caused by COVID-19, that they would reach out to the Lord. Pray for people to earnestly seek the Lord. We know the desire to seek the Lord comes from the Lord, and we know he will meet them. Pray for those whose businesses and livelihoods are ruined by the halt in many sectors of the economy. Pray for those who may lose jobs and salaries. For each one, we pray new beginnings with the Lord walking by their side.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” – Jeremiah 29:11, 12

  1. Pray for our mission co-workers worldwide today, especially those serving in areas acutely impacted by COVID-19. Pray for wisdom for each ministry team to know how to carry out their responsibilities. We pray that ministries would not have to shut down, but that the Lord would carry them through this difficult time, for his glory.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. – 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

  1. Pray for all those who live and die without the knowledge of Jesus to hear about him through this crisis and respond to his love. We pray salvation for every man, woman and child in the world today. Through eyes of faith, we see them becoming our brothers and sisters in Christ. Ask in Jesus’ name for the gift of salvation for many to come out of this crisis.

The Lord is not slow to fulfil his promise, as some understand slowness but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. – 2 Peter 3:9

[source]

Memory Verse

“Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.” (Psalm 150:1-2)

Resources

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March 2020 Daily Guide | 2020 Bible Reading Plan | May 2020 Daily Guide